Sanctuary Week 2025: Community as Superpower

As a University of Sanctuary, Solent is committed to providing a fair, diverse and cohesive environment that challenges and tackles social inequalities. Our vision is to transform people’s lives, regardless of their background, through providing learning, teaching and experiences that are relevant to the real world.

Taking place ahead of Refugee Week held each June, Solent’s Sanctuary Week will once again be collaborating alongside other UK Universities in emphasising the extraordinary impact of collective generosity, shared resilience, and everyday acts of kindness in shaping a more just and inclusive society. By bringing together students, academics, and partners, the week’s aim is to harness the strength of collaboration to drive meaningful change, ensuring that every contribution big or small creates a lasting impact in creating inclusive spaces supporting displaced people and reshaping the narrative around migration.

This year’s theme is Community as a Superpower, reinforcing the idea that welcoming communities have the power to transform lives and reshape the narrative around migration. Through collaboration, generosity, and shared action, we celebrate the strength found in unity and the role we all play in building a more inclusive society. Below are some of the collaborative activities Solent are currently involved in and opportunities for colleagues and students to engage in across 2025 and beyond.

• STAR Group, Monday 3 March, 12pm to 1pm in RM050 (Research Hub): We are looking for students to support our Solent Student Action for Refugees group, volunteering time to aid various initiatives and events we are involved in through our collaboration with City Life Education and Action For Refugees (CLEAR) and Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG). Roles include supporting individuals with conversational English, assisting with trips, aiding fitness and wellbeing activities, and helping with Refugee Week events. For more information pop in and see us on or email sanctuary@solent.ac.uk. Everyone is welcome.
• Southampton Sanctuary Network, Wednesday 5 March, 4pm to 6pm: Southampton Solent University are co-founders of the SSN alongside CLEAR and Southampton City Council, which provides an opportunity for residents cross Southampton to share best practice and collaborate in a bid to better support individuals and families who have been forced to flee their homes. You can find out further details and register your attendance here. All welcome.
• Sanctuary Scholarship 2025-2026: Deadline for applications Friday 27 June 2025. Each year Solent awards one Sanctuary Scholarship consisting of a full yearly fee waiver and a £3,000 bursary to a person seeking sanctuary studying on a three-year undergraduate programme. Eligibility and further information, including how to apply can be found here or you can email sanctuary@solent.ac.uk
• Health 4 Her (H4H): Solent provides bespoke H4H weekly fitness sessions to refugee and asylum seekers to aid their physical wellbeing and mental health in collaboration with SWVG. The female only sessions, provides opportunities for individuals to connect, develop self-confidence and learn how to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle in a safe environment. For more information, please email Amy King, Health & Exercise Development Officer on amy.king@solent.ac.uk.
• Educational support: In collaboration with CLEAR, Solent provides access to our exams centre twice a year for learners who have been studying on ESOL courses in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing to build confidence and give learners a strong foundation in English language learning. If you would like to be involved in supporting CLEAR or SWVG in offering conversational English opportunities, please email sanctuary@solent.ac.uk.
• Unity 101 Radio Station Community Hour, Wednesday 7 May, 3pm to 4pm: Each year the community hour, hosted by Geeta Uppal, Senior Access Widening Participation Officer dedicates a programme to discussing how Solent is collaborating with local organisations and communities to supporting those seeking sanctuary. Tune in and hear more about our work and how you can get involved.

What to learn more, get involved in projects or run an activity?

We would be delighted to organise a conversation with you online or in person. Please email sanctuary@solent.ac.uk and we can get started together!